Fleas are pesky little things — they are itchy for your cat (and for you!), and can be very difficult to get rid of. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what exactly fleas are, what you can do to prevent your cat from getting them, and how to get rid of them if your cat already has them.
What are fleas?
Cat fleas are a type of small skin parasite that are dark brown and approximately 2–3mm in length. The most common type of flea found on cats is the cat flea, otherwise known as Ctenocephalides felis (C. felis). However, other types of fleas such as rabbit fleas and hedgehog fleas can also occasionally be found on cats. Fleas bite their host and feed on their blood.
The flea life cycle
Fleas can live for up to 2 years, and the adults spend the majority of their time on your cat. A female flea will start to lay eggs just 2 days after finding a host (your cat) and can lay around 25 eggs per day. The eggs drop off the cat into the environment, along with flea dirt — the excrement produced by adult fleas. The eggs hatch into larvae after 2–14 days and feed on flea dirt. The larvae dislike light and so tend to live deep within carpets or bedding.
The larvae develop into pupae encased within a cocoon in as little as 7 days in the right conditions. An adult flea develops within the cocoon and waits for signs of a host before it emerges, detecting vibrations, noise, moisture and carbon dioxide. An adult flea can emerge as quickly as 10 days after pupation — or it can lie dormant in the cocoon for up to 2 years!
In the right conditions, the entire flea life cycle can occur in as little as 15 days, which explains why such a tiny parasite can very quickly cause a big problem.
How do I know if my cat has fleas?
Fleas move quickly and are often ingested by cats during grooming, so the adults can be hard to spot. However, there will be other clues. You might observe flea excrement in your cat’s coat — this looks like black specks of dirt, hence the term ‘flea dirt’.
To prove that it is flea dirt and not just ordinary dirt, use a flea comb to comb your cat and transfer the dirt onto damp cotton wool or white paper. If it is flea dirt, it will dissolve into reddish-brown marks — this is the blood your cat’s fleas have fed on.
Other signs that your cat has fleas include:
- Persistent and excessive scratching
- Fur loss
- Skin irritation
- Tiny skin scabs
- Insect bites on human ankles and lower legs
Does it matter if my cat has fleas?
Some cats can live with a few fleas without showing many signs, but this doesn’t mean you don’t need to treat your cat. A flea infestation can cause several serious issues:
- Flea Allergic Dermatitis (FAD): some cats become sensitised to allergens in flea saliva and develop severe, intensely itchy skin lesions after just a few bites.
- Disease transmission: fleas can transmit infections between cats such as Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) and feline infectious anaemia.
- Tapeworm: the cat flea can carry tapeworm larvae, which can infect a cat that swallows the flea while grooming.
- Anaemia: heavy infestations can cause anaemia. In young kittens or elderly cats, this can be fatal if untreated.
- Effects on people: although cat fleas can’t live on humans, they can bite and cause itchy lesions, and can spread Bartonella henselae, the bacterium behind cat scratch disease.
Can other pets catch fleas from my cat?
Dogs can easily catch fleas from cats and vice versa — the most common flea on dogs is also the cat flea, C. felis. Rabbits can be infested too, particularly in a household with cats or dogs.
Can indoor cats catch fleas?
Yes. Indoor cats can still become infested, even without going outside:
- From another pet in the household, such as a dog or an outdoor cat.
- From a trip to the cattery or the vet — one stray flea is all it takes.
- After moving house, where dormant fleas in the environment emerge and jump aboard.
How do I treat fleas?
A flea infestation is tricky to treat because of the life cycle. To be effective, the adult fleas on your cat and all in-contact animals must be killed, and the environment treated to prevent re-infestation.
Treat all pets in the household with a product from your vet. At the same time, treat your home with an appropriate product to kill immature fleas — carpets, soft furnishings, bedding, gaps under skirting boards and between floorboards. Consider treating the car too if your pets travel in it. Vacuum regularly, especially after treating, and dispose of vacuum bags immediately.
How can I prevent fleas?
There are many products available — spot-on solutions, tablets, collars, and even injections. Effectiveness varies hugely, and not all products sold in supermarkets and pet shops will work. Always consult your vet, who can prescribe the most effective treatment for your cat.
Never use a dog flea treatment on your cat — these can be highly toxic to cats and could even be fatal. Always follow the instructions carefully.
Summary
Fleas are a common parasite that can cause real problems beyond simple irritation. Treatment must target every stage of the life cycle, and it can take weeks or months to fully clear a household. For that reason it is far better to treat your cat preventatively — even an indoor cat. Speak to your veterinarian, who can advise on the most suitable, effective product for your cat.
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